Protective garment



. C. L. HENNINGER PROTECTIVE GARMENT Sept. 20, 1949.

Filed April 9, 1946 3) Flc.

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CECELIA Li HEN NINGER,

Patented Sept. 20, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTIVE GARMENT Cecelia L. Henninger, St. Louis, Mo.

Application April 9, 1946, Serial No. 660,652

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a protective garment, and more particularly to such a garment adapted to be worn over the shoulders of an individual while relieving the pressure of gas in an infants abdomen after feeding.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a protective garment adapted speeically for the protection of one shoulder of an individual, and comprised of moisture-absorbent, soft material.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a garment which may be readily laundered, thus providing increased sanitation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a garment so designed that it may be readily secured about the neck of an individual to prevent accidental displacement thereof.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a garment which is simple and inexpensive to cut, assemble and finish.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a garment of ornamental and attractive appearance, readily adaptable to a varriety of qualities, sizes, and appearance.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that after feeding a small child, a bubble of gas frequently forms in the infants stomach, causing discomfort to the infant, unless removed. The customary procedure in such instances is to place the infant over the shoulder of the mother, with the abdomen pressed against the shoulder and the head resting on the top of the shoulder, and pat the child gently on the back until the gas bubble is regurgitated. Under such conditions a portion of the feeding is sometimes regurgitated with the gas, and, unless protected, the apparel of the mother or other individual is frequently soiled. I-litherto, various eXpedients have been resorted to for protecting the clothing, but no bib or similar garment specifically designed for this purpose, the protection of one shoulder, and having means for precluding the accidental displacement of the garment by bodily motion of the infant has been provided. An important object of this invention is, therefore, the provision of a protective garment adapted to be utilized in this connection, and so designed and arranged as to be applied and removed from the shoulder with a minimum of diiculty and effort.

With these and other objects in mind, this invention contemplates a protecting pad or garment adapted for positioning over the shoulder in which the supporting neck opening is eccentrically positioned therein wherein the major por- 2 tion of the pad extends over the back or shoulder protecting the back and only a substantially small portion thereof covers the chest or front.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept,

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of one form of garment or bib embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view disclosing the position of the garment in use.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, there is generally indicated at I 0 a garment or bib of the instant invention, which is comprised, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, of a piece of padding or the like. comprising an inner absorbent layer of material II covered on both sides by an outer covering l2 of cotton or similar material. The article is comprised of a pair of pads I3 and Ill arranged in side-by-side meeting relation with respect to each other and interconnected by a line of jointure I3 extending along a portion of their meeting sides, the pad I3 being to extend over the back or shoulder of the wearer and the pad I4 being to extend over the front of the shoulder to cover the chest. Each of the pads is of a multi-sided configuration and includes a rst longitudinally-extending side 5, a pair of opposed sides I arranged transversely with respect to the side E5, and a second longitudinally-extending side 'i arranged in opposed relation with respect to the side 5 and disposed at an angle relative to the side 5. The longitudinally-extending sides 'i of each of the pads i3 and I4 are positioned in meeting relation, there being a semi-circular shaped cut-out I6 in each of the sides l adjacent the end remote from the line of jointure I3. The cut-outs l5 face each other and form a neck opening therebetween. On the pad I4 adjacent the outer end of the cut-out I6, is disposed a part of a snap fastener I9 or a button, while on the pad I3 adjacent the outer end of its cut-out I6, is disposed a complementary part or member 20 of the snap fastener or alternately a buttonhole. The parts I9 and 2li constitute interengageable or cooperating fastening means for securing the pads together. sette 2i, or similar device, may be provided on the overlying extremity of the garment, if desired.

An ornamental ro- As indicated in Figures l and 2, the edge of the Y qued or embroidered on the face of the garment to enhance the appearance thereof. n

From the foregoing the operationofthe'device should now be readily understandable. As b'est shown in Figure 3, the "device is adapted to ybe positionedfover vthe shoulder, the pad I3Y depending'a Yshort distance down the back of the' in-dividual 'while thefpad le extends forwardly overthe, bosom.` The semi-circular cut-outs lr6 surround the'necl; and are secured on the oppositeside ofthe neck from the garmentproper -by means of the fastener l 9-2- Thus, when the Vinfantv is positionedras shown in Figure v3, for burgoing, any regurgitated food will be depositedon the bib or on garment I0, which htolprotect'the appareloftlie individual 11.

From-the `foregoing itk Wiilnow be seen that there is herein provided an improved protective serves effectivelyV 4 Y o opposed sides arranged ktransversely with respect to the rst-named side, and a second longitudinally-extending side arranged in opposed relation with respect to the iirst longitudinally-extending side, one of the longitudinally-extending sides of one of saidpads being positioned in meeting Yrelation with one of the longitudinally-extending sides of the other ofV said pads, there being 'ajsemi-'cirdular shaped cut-,out in-each of thelnietiig longitudinally-extending sides adj acent the end remote from the line of jointure, said V"cut-cuts facing eachother andjiorming Va'neck opening therebetween, and interengaging means on'fsaidp'ads adjacent the outer ends of said cut- 'outsforf securing the pads together.

nl 2.V Al protective garment comprising a pair of `pafds larahged yifr'iside-by-side meeting relation with respect to each other and interconnected together by a line of jointure extending along a portion of their meeting sid'es, each of vsaid pads being 'of intil-Sided"Configuration and includinga `first longitiidnallyl'exterfdingoSide, a pair ofjo'pposed sides arranged transversely with respect to'the V'r'st-iiafried side, and a second longitudinally- Y extending sideV arranged inopp'osed relation-V-With Y respectto'th'e 'first longitudinallyaezitendi'ng :side

ailCtd'SpSd'at @Bangle relative'toithelattel- Ynamed side, the second longitudinally=extending garment or'bib Which lancmplishes all-the'objects'of this invention, and others, including fman'y advantageso great practical utility.

As various embodiments maybe made yofthis `inventive concept, and as various modifications may be made in theembodimentfhereinbeiore shown and described, 1t is to be understood :that

uall-"matter lierein'is to be interpreted merely as Y illustrativefand not in'a'limiting sense.

v I' claim: Y

lnprotective 'garment comprising a pair ofV pads arranged inV side-by-side meeting relation Zvith' respect 'to 'ea'chfotlier an'd'interconnected" tog'ether by a line'o jointure 'portio'n of their meeting" sides, vbeing of 'multi-sided' -co'niigurationiand including *a rst Ilongitudinallyextending fside, a -pair of extending along a "each of said pads sides4 of said pads bihgipsition-d in meeting Jre- `lation, there being a semi-circular shape'd`cut=out in each of vthejselcn'd 'longitudina-lly-extendingY 'outs "facing VVeach other and forming a 're'ekfopening thereb'etvveen,y and 1cooppads together. v j y "CECEISIA "L. I-IE'NNINGER.

'-nere-eefiveesierren A 'The followingreferences-,are of record'i'n the file of 'this patent: j

l`U-NifriiDf STATES yPitti-iria'rs Y Chadwick V r "oct 214; -1941 

